AOL has released a new dedicated AOL HD app that will deliver high-definition video to users across connected TV platforms including Boxee, Roku and Yahoo! Connected TV. Plans to expand AOL HD to other connected platforms are scheduled in the coming months. AOL HD allows consumers to watch high quality AOL video and audio content for free by streaming online offerings directly to users' television sets.

BBC Worldwide has released their new global BBC iPlayer iPad app, which allows video on demand subscribers to stream and to download shows for offline viewing for when they can’t access Wi-Fi connectivity. The new subscription service, launching first in Western Europe, delivers programming to viewers in 11 markets. The global version of the BBC iPlayer app launched today is the start of a pilot phase for the service.

Digital TV Middle East, from the producers of the world Digital TV series, Digital TV Europe and TBI magazines, is co-located with IP&TV Middle East & North Africa 2011, which attracted over 750 attendees in 2010. The event brings together senior level decision makers from the full TV value chain and attendees of Digital TV Middle East will benefit from a shared keynote session, networking and exhibition space with the IP&TV forum.

Applications have dominated the news in the smartphone and tablet worlds for some time but with the advent of “smart TVs” consumers are now rapidly adopting online TV applications that are integrated into their connected TVs with . A new In-Stat research survey estimates that over 60% of these connected households will use a TV app at least once per week.

CNN and HLN’s complete 24-hour television networks will be streamed live on CNN.com, the CNN App for iPad and the CNN App for iPhone and iPod touch beginning today, July 18. CNN Worldwide is the first news organization to stream its linear television channels online and on mobile devices to consumers who subscribe to a multi-channel video service. Simultaneous to this launch, CNN.com has debuted its new video experience, which seamlessly integrates live network TV into a larger and higher-quality video player, capable of delivering HD quality.

The results confirm one thing that’s fairly obvious: most service providers are moving beyond basic video offerings and are now providing consumers with highly-integrated and portable on-demand viewing experiences.

Verismo Networks and Verimatrix have announce a global partnership that secures and protects all content delivered via Verismo's broadband television platform.

"We are enhancing our widely deployed broadband TV platform offering by integrating it with the industry's leading content protection solution from Verimatrix for secure delivery of content over the internet," said Prakash Bhalerao, Chairman and CEO of Verismo Networks. "This new collaborative relationship and integration with Verimatrix, in addition to our existing DRM solutions illustrates Verismo's strong commitment to protecting content and delivering it securely via our broadband platform across the globe."

Vision IPTV unveiled the latest addition to its suite of services for broadcasters: the addition of Roku capability to Vision IPTV’s platform for delivery of internet TV and video. This enables broadcasters and video content owners to extend the reach of their broadcast services to a rapidly expanding North American audience who own a Roku set top box.

Delivering an unrivalled user experience, the Roku streaming player is an easy to use and cost effective way for anyone to enjoy internet TV and video on their TV set, as well as popular on demand services like NetFlix and Hulu. Roku is proving a huge success in the US, where it recently served its one billionth stream, and expects to have sold some 3 million units by the end of the year.

Roku introduced Roku 2, a new family of streaming players. Available in three models – the Roku 2 HD, Roku 2 XD and Roku 2 XS – this new line brings popular casual games including Angry Birds to the TV alongside Roku’s large and growing selection of entertainment. Roku 2 players also feature a sleek new design that’s more energy-efficient than before, using less than two watts of power.

New channels launching soon on Roku 2 include Facebook, AOL HD, and FOXNews.com. Additional games will be available shortly after launch including Angry Birds Rio and Angry Birds Seasons.

blinkx partners with NewsLook. Viewers everywhere can now watch over 1,500 informative NewsLook videos from prominent publishers such as the GlobalPost, Xinhua News Agency and UNTV at www.blinkx.com. Leveraging its unique AdHoc platform, blinkx will also place contextually relevant advertising against the videos and share resulting advertising revenue with NewsLook.

An Official Honoree of the Webby Awards, NewsLook presents its audience with videos that have been hand-picked for their relevance and value from a deep and diverse set of trusted outlets, including CBC, ABCau and ForaTV. Unlike most aggregators, NewsLook uses professional editors to put stories in context, offering alternative perspectives, background and analysis side by side with news itself, so users obtain a more complete and informed picture of world events.

New findings from IMS Research's Global Bandwidth Utilization Model reveal that the telcos who are IPTV providers face substantial challenges adapting their networks to accommodate the onslaught of over-the-top video. IMS Research estimates that in 2010 peak bandwidth utilization was 44 percent of capacity, and that the bandwidth usage per household is forecast to increase by more than 50 percent between 2010 and 2015.

IMS Research also forecasts that pay OTT subscription services will generate a cumulative $32 billion in revenues globally over the next five years, and will account for a larger part of the market than pay-per services that enable users to rent or purchase videos on an ad-hoc basis. But even so, many telcos are threatened with a bandwidth shortage.

AT&T makes it possible for consumers to watch the hit TV shows they love, when and where they want with the AT&T U-verse Mobile app, and today AT&T U-verse Mobile has expanded to several Android devices, including the LG Thrive, LG Phoenix and Samsung Infuse 4G, and the Windows Phone HTC HD7S.

U-verse Mobile is now available on more than 20 devices and four major operating systems, and the U-verse Mobile library has grown to include more than 100 TV series and more than 700 TV shows from a variety of genres.

AT&T launched the AT&T U-verse Service & Support Tool app, which gives AT&T U-verse customers convenient access to self-support information and tools for their U-verse TV, U-verse High Speed Internet, U-verse Voice and email services directly from their smartphone.

The U-verse Service & Support Tool app is one of the first integrated self-support smartphone apps offered by a TV provider — another way AT&T is delivering a better experience to U-verse customers. The app:

Provides you with an up-to-date status of your U-verse services with a U-verse Service Check.

Delivers notifications on known service issues in your area, and sends you an email or text with updates on service resolution.

Offers more than 30 step-by-step guides to address common questions, including images and tips.

Lets you restart your U-verse TV receiver and residential gateway directly from your smartphone, even if you're away from home.